Jeonnam Dragons Advance to Hana Bank FA Cup Quarterfinals

Busan Transportation Corporation and Penalty Shootout Battle

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] Jeonnam Dragons advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Hana Bank FA Cup.

In the round of 16 away match against Busan Transportation Corporation (K3) held the previous day, they won after an extended battle with a final score of 2(3PSO5)2.

Jeonnam Dragons started with a 5-3-2 formation featuring GK Kim Dasol, DF Kim Hangil, Jang Seongrok, Kim Jinseong, Nam Yoonjae, and Kim Youngwook in the starting lineup. In midfield were MF Jang Seongjae, Kim Seonwoo, Kim Gyeongmin, and up front, FW Samuel and Park Heesung played as the two strikers.

‘Seonggol Youth’ players who progressed through Jeonnam Dragons U12, U15, and U18, DF Nam Yoonjae and FW Choi Seongjin, made their professional team debuts as a starter and substitute respectively. Jeonnam implemented a significant rotation amid a tight schedule, giving playing opportunities to players like Kim Jinseong, Kim Gyeongmin, and Kim Seonwoo who had not been regularly used.

The home team Busan Transportation Corporation (Bugyogong) started the match with an extreme defensive 6-2-2 formation. GK Son Jaehyuk, DF Kim Heeseong, Gu Gyochul, Lee Seungmin, Son Han-eun, Kwon Jinyoung, Yoon Byeongkwon, MF Park Seungwook, Kwak Seongchan, and FW Lee Gangwook, Kim Minwoo were in the starting lineup.

After the match started, Bugyogong unexpectedly attacked aggressively, exploiting the wide sides of Jeonnam’s forward press and created many chances. However, Jeonnam escaped danger thanks to GK Kim Dasol’s brilliant saves and the defenders’ physical blocking.

Jeonnam also had chances. In the 23rd minute of the first half, after a corner kick, Kim Hangil controlled the ball, feinted, and shot, but it slightly missed to the right of the goal.

During the back-and-forth exchanges, Jeonnam scored the opening goal in the 33rd minute of the first half. Right wing-back Kim Youngwook cut inside and delivered an early cross with his left foot. Park Heesung, positioned upfront, laid the ball off to Jang Seongjae making a run into the box, who skillfully turned the long ball and scored.

In the 9th minute of the second half, Bugyogong made changes by bringing in FW Choi Yongwoo and DF Ahn Jaehun to chase an equalizer. Then, in the 11th minute, Lee Gangwook’s sharp cross from the right flank deflected off Jeonnam GK Kim Dasol’s hand, and Bugyogong’s Kim Minwoo pushed it in to score the equalizer.

In the 17th minute of the second half, amid confusion inside Jeonnam’s goal area, Bugyogong’s Kim Minwoo passed back to Kwak Seongchan, who connected it into the goal, putting Bugyogong ahead 2-1.

In the 20th minute of the second half, Jeonnam switched to a four-back by substituting center-back Nam Yoonjae with Kim Taehyun at left side-back and moving Kim Hangil up to side midfielder.

In the 35th minute of the second half, after a dribble and pass by Kim Gyeongmin, Jung Seongjae let the ball go, and Samuel received it and took a shot, but it went straight to Bugyogong GK Son Jaehyuk, who saved it. While Jeonnam continued attacking to equalize, in the 37th minute, Bugyogong MF Park Jaeseong’s back pass was chased down by Samuel, who scored to the right side of the goal, leveling the score again.

Jeonnam faced their biggest crisis just before the end. In the 44th minute of the second half, Bugyogong’s Choi Yongwoo and Kim Heeseong took consecutive shots, but Kim Dasol blocked them all, firmly protecting the goal.

After finishing regular time at 2-2, both teams entered extra time but no additional goals were scored. In the penalty shootout, Jeonnam’s first kicker Kim Seonwoo scored cleanly, and Bugyogong’s first kicker Choi Yongwoo’s kick was saved by GK Kim Dasol, giving Jeonnam the psychological edge. Subsequently, Jeonnam’s Hwang Giuk, Samuel, Jang Seongjae, and Kim Gyeongmin all converted their penalties, resulting in a final score of 2(3PSO5)2 with Jeonnam victorious.

Having rested key players and made extensive rotations, Jeonnam advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals and will play an away match against Gimcheon Sangmu in the 14th round of the 2021 Hana One Q K League 2 at 6:30 PM on the 30th.

This match will be held without spectators as a preemptive measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.